Cursor
coding
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor and coding agent designed to accelerate software development through context-aware completions, intelligent code navigation, and agentic task delegation
Pricing
Free plan
Rating
—
Votes
0
Head-to-head comparison
Cursor vs Windsurf
Compare Cursor and Windsurf side by side across pricing, features, ratings, pros, cons, best-fit use cases, and alternatives.
Windsurf
coding
Windsurf (now rebranded as Devin Desktop) is an AI-powered coding IDE that manages local and cloud agents for software development
Pricing
Free plan
Rating
—
Votes
0
Feature comparison
Feature
Cursor
Windsurf
Category
coding
coding
Pricing
Free plan
Free plan
Free plan
API access
Mobile app
Browser extension
Team collaboration
Custom training
Self-hosted option
Offline mode
Multi-language support
Cursor pros and cons
Agent mode allows delegating long refactors or test generation while continuing other work, with integration to systems like Linear for starting agent runs from issue workflows
Used by 64% of Fortune 500 companies according to G2 reviews, indicating strong enterprise adoption
Token-based billing model means costs vary by actual usage - one user reported using 2.8 million tokens for GPT-5 at only $0.89 cost on the $20/month plan
Built on VS Code foundation, providing familiar interface for developers already using that ecosystem
Note: Can be 'too opinionated or over-suggest changes' according to G2 reviews, potentially interrupting workflow
Note: AI suggestions can be 'slightly off-target for very complex or highly specialized code' per user feedback
Note: Actual spend for heavy users runs $40-50/month after overages despite $20/month base price, according to alternative comparison research
Windsurf pros and cons
Quick project bootstrapping - users report it's fast to get projects started with minimal need for fixes
Unlimited inline edits and tab completions available even on the free tier
Access to multiple frontier AI models (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) and free use of SWE 1.6 on paid plans
Strong integration into existing development setups with noticeable productivity improvements according to user reviews
Note: Learning curve when first exploring the platform's capabilities, as noted in multiple reviews
Note: Limited model availability on the free tier restricts access to advanced AI models
Note: Recent rebranding from Windsurf to Devin Desktop has caused confusion among users, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the name change
Which one should you choose?
Best overall signal
Cursor
Selected using Toolglade popularity signals such as views and votes.
Best value signal
Cursor
Selected using free-plan availability and engagement signals.
Best for
Cursor
- Enterprise development teams needing centralized billing, team administration, and advanced security features
- Developers working on long refactors or test generation who want to delegate implementation while continuing other work
- Teams already familiar with VS Code who want AI-powered coding assistance without learning a new editor
- University students (eligible students get one free year of Cursor Pro)
- AI pair programming
Windsurf
- Individual developers seeking AI-assisted coding with agent management capabilities
- Development teams needing collaborative AI coding tools with centralized billing and admin dashboards
- Users working on Laravel and similar projects who need quick bootstrapping and automated configuration
- Organizations requiring enterprise-grade features like SAML/OIDC SSO and dedicated deployment options
FAQ
Is Cursor better than Windsurf?
It depends on your use case. Compare category fit, pricing, feature availability, and ratings before choosing.
Which tool has a free plan?
Cursor and Windsurf offer a free plan based on current Toolglade data.